William Shakespeare (baptized 1564; died 1616)


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While a great deal of Shakespeare's life is a mystery, there are some biographical facts that have been proven through records. Shakespeare wrote his plays in the Elizabethan era, which were often performed in the Globe Theater. While Shakespeare wrote numerous plays and sonnets, one of the most popular plays in the high-school English curriculum is Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare wrote in Middle English, so many high school students think it is irrelevant to today's society. However, there are many allusions to the play in books, movies, and television shows.

Shakespeare's mastery of the English language and range of subjects make him one of the best and most-studied authors of all time. In addition to being studied by many people, there is some controversy surrounding the authorship of some of his works.